The Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys. Much anticipated and highly visible, these awards celebrate excellence in the entertainment industry, captivating millions of viewers around the globe each year.

At the other end of the spectrum are the countless awards handed out throughout industry, business and academia that also promote excellence in a given field. Decidedly less recognized and in some cases obscure, they share with their glitzier counterparts a common element: they matter. The awards are important.

Why? No matter the field, people want and need recognition for their work. Beyond that, awards help to inspire other people to do their best, driving innovation and standards forward with each passing year.

Three-time UNIVATOR winner Perfection Uniforms agrees. "Winning the UNIVATOR three consecutive years means the bar is continually raised in terms of who we are, what we do, and how we do it," says Miranda Brock, marketing manager. "It gives us an edge in that it keeps us on our toes."

Awards can even change how people think. Consider the case of last year's Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Slum Dog Millionaire. Going largely unnoticed when released, the low-budget sleeper became an overnight sensation when it took home the top prize, earning millions for investors and launching the careers of several unknown actors.

The product – the movie – was the same as before the accolades. But the objective evaluation set a standard of excellence that separated it from the rest.

That is precisely what the UNIVATOR Awards seek to accomplish. UNIVATOR turns the spotlight on you and your achievements, distinguishing your work from peers, changing forever the uniform landscape. UNIVATOR is the industry's highest honor, a tribute to realized potential and a celebration of a job well done. "It's always an honor to be recognized by UniformMarket because they're a reliable and unbiased source in this industry," says Brock.

Make no mistake – there is much to celebrate in the uniform industry, even in these uncertain times. In a year when the economy was tight and budgets even tighter, many had to rethink strategies, accomplishing more with less. End users cut back too, becoming increasingly selective in their purchasing decisions, leaving manufacturers and retailers to wonder if the behavior would be long lasting. Through it all, new products and campaigns were successfully launched, turning 2009 into a primer on the power of creativity.

But customers remain cautious, which is why UNIVATOR is so important. Awards lend authority, and help you stand out, elements which may give you the competitive edge you need. Brock elaborates: "Receiving accolades is always an honor, but to earn recognition from UniformMarket increases our credibility and is a great motivator! You always think of ‘having an edge' in terms of being in competition against others, but we tend to be more competitive with ourselves."

The UNIVATOR Awards honor the leading ideas, creations, services and innovators which have influenced the industry over the past year. Any company within the North-American uniform, corporate apparel, white goods, or promotional products markets, regardless of size, is eligible to enter. "The award is valuable because it recognizes innovation, and the reason innovation is important is because those old sayings are true: Change makes the world go round, and there's always room for improvement," continues Brock. "It's taking a great idea and making it better."

In the past, companies have submitted their own works for consideration, and this option still exists. But the 2010 UNIVATOR now gives readers a chance to make their own picks, a first for the awards program. It's a way to add your voice to the selection process, and for manufacturers or dealers, an excellent opportunity to further cultivate relationships with customers or suppliers. So if you don't believe your company is UNIVATOR-worthy, why not nominate another? Simply mark the "Readers' Choice," category on the entry form, supply a few details and the staff at UniformMarket will take care of the rest.

For the Editors' Choice, categories have been added to increase participation across the industry spectrum, and others have been redesigned to target specific market segments.

Best of all, if you don't find a category that matches your situation, you can create one – innovation is strongly encouraged in this competition.

For a complete listing of categories, view the entry form here.

It takes little effort to enter the UNIVATOR Awards – just complete an entry form and send the appropriate supporting materials to UniformMarket.

Deadline for Entries: Friday, January 8, 2010

Be sure to check back next month for tips on how your company can walk away a winner. In the meantime, start mulling over your picks. 0 0 0 Should you have any questions or need help with the entry process, send an email to the author at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it